Obituaries

Ruth Irene Crouse Gibbs, 95, of Bassett, Virginia, and Roanoke, Virginia, and formerly of Sparta, North Carolina, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 5, 2026, at The Harmony Collection at Roanoke – Assisted Living.

She was born November 16, 1930, in Alleghany County, North Carolina, to the late Charlie Franklin Crouse and the late Minnie Leota Estep Crouse. She worked at DuPont Nylon Yarn Plant in Martinsville, Virginia, for a number of years before leaving the working world to care for her growing family. After her children were grown she decided to re-enter the work world and eventually retired from Ronile, Inc. in Rocky Mount, Virginia. She was a devoted wife and loving mother, married to her late husband, Thomas Howard Gibbs, for over seventy-one years.

Ruth grew up on a farm in Sparta, North Carolina, before moving to Martinsville, Virginia. She devoted her entire life to her family, supporting her late husband and children, and later her grandchildren, in all of their interests and endeavors. She also loved her hometown of Sparta, North Carolina, and visited her many relatives there often until she was no longer able. She and her husband loved to go places and she was happy to ride shotgun on any road trip, whether a short trip ‘up the mountain’ or a long excursion to visit family halfway across the country. A favorite summer vacation was a trip to Holden Beach, North Carolina. For most of her adult life she attended Fort Trial Christian Church in Bassett, Virginia.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters: Ruby Jacobs, Alma Michaels and Elvira Crowe Brooks, and her brothers: Talmadge Crouse, Everett Crouse, Herman Crouse, James Millard Crouse, Thomas Alton Crouse and an infant brother.

She is survived by her daughter, Tracy Lynn Gibbs Smith (Whitney); sons, Barry Franklin Gibbs (Connie), Gary Thomas Gibbs (Junko) and Michael Howard Gibbs (Jill); a brother-in-law, Jason Anton Gibbs (Daisy); seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly, including her niece Rosalee Atwood of Sparta, North Carolina, who was more like a sister to her than a niece.

All services will be private.

Wright Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family.